Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has been preparing for the launch of natural gas
production from an offshore field.

Officials said gas would begin flowing from the Tamar field in the
Mediterranean Sea on March 31.

The officials said Tamar, a $3.5 billion project located 22 kilometers from the Israeli port of Ashkelon, would become a leading source of energy for the Jewish state.

“This is Israel’s energy freedom and independence day,” Israeli Energy
Minister Silvan Shalom said.

Officials said Tamar’s output would end Israel’s energy shortage.

Israel has been struggling with a lack of gas since the bombing of Egypt’s Arab Gas Pipeline in 2011.

  Arab Gas Pipeline, port of Ashkelon, Production from Tamar gas field seen ending Israel’s energy shortage, Silvan Shalom